What a guy! It is said that airedale terriers are the “giant” or King of terriers, and our guy, Mitchy Ray Sunshine personified this aspect of his breed. He was a big, big dog in a medium sized body. He exuded confidence, humor and love for this new world he unexpectedly was tossed into. He was one of us for exactly one year and four days—and I have such tremendous gratitude for that short time filled with learning from this brilliant boy. When we first started out, on day two from the Gotcha!, I knew I had him when I opened all the windows of the car on our trip North—and he was stunned with all that hit that nose and brain of his. At the halfway point, I offered him an egg sandwich, and I got his full attention which I had until yesterday' morning.
We both grew our worlds with Mitch pulling me out of a hole—and everyday rescuing me from my desk—with his pulling on my pockets or jumping up and digging his claws into my shoulder—to tell me it was time to get away from my desk. And I gave Mitchy space, treats and less anxiety which I tried to manage through his space and his feeling comfortable. Believe it or not, the car was his safest place. If he felt he needed a place to be that he would not be harassed, it was the car. It was the vehicle that took him from New York City. It was the magic box that took him to “camp” (the kennel which he adored). It was the way we got to the lake with the porch, with breezes and birds and tasty bugs to snap out of the air. He loved his treats and I was not shy…and looking back on that, it was the right thing to do. To think that dream bones were the beginning and end of all fun and the terrier dance he did— but that he only had a short moment to adore them…and he did. Golly, I would have cashed in my treasures just to keep him in dream bones for more time—but it just wasnt in the cards,
As I had said to Rob when we were weighing to take him home or put him down at the hospital— I wanted to be mindful like Mitch—and that if his spirit was there, we would do all we could to help him live. And we had some good days until that last three when he had stopped eating and drinking and spent his time on a downstairs sofa. We would get on occasional tail wag, but the ears were not up and the shine was not there. He was quite an actor and could muster the steam to greet the vet and her assistants (old friends of Mitch)—with a bit of a prance and a hello—to then go back to quiet and still. I knew it was time…and I think he did too and so we said goodbye.
You will live in my heart, my golden boy. Thank you for being with us. It was a gift and honor.
Walk in the light, prance in the light, with your ears up and take it all in. You are my sunshine. always.
Mitchy Ray Sunshine
December 2015- August 28, 2019
Gotcha! date: August 24, 2019